How to Promote Self-Actualisation
Words like self-actualisation leave me cold. But it is the second of Bain’s life changing elements and so I’ll have a go.
What is it?
Self-actualisation is about personal accomplishment or improvement according to Bain. So, it is about learning a new skill or honing an existing skill.
You may be approached by someone who is clear about where they are going but needs help to get there.
Say, you’re a piano teacher and someone approaches you who wants to be a concert pianist (or perhaps you approach them!). Your task is to help them play the piano better. It is not to question their goal of being a concert pianist. You might of course assess their skills and give them feedback. That feedback might be they will never be good enough to be a concert pianist. Presumably that would mark the end of your relationship.
Some piano teachers provide hope, strategic direction as well as the coaching that results in self-actualisation.
Value for the Client
This is easy. The client seeks out the person best placed to help them meet their goals. This is their primary motivation. If they don’t know what they want they can’t accomplish anything.
You as a coach may offer to provide hope and self-actualisation but they are different values. No coach can specialise in everything and so once a client decides, they re-assess coaching needs because they may need specialist help their first coach can’t provide. Similarly where self-actualisation leads to reappraisal, the existing piano teacher may not be the best option.
How to Get There
Self-actualisation is more focused than provision of hope. It is about learning new skills or polishing old skills with a goal in mind. It is support for someone as they find their way forward along the road they have chosen.
Your Offer
If you teach a skill, bear in mind the reason someone chooses to work with you is important. They have some goal in mind and it is important to know what it is.
As a coach you help your client get what they need to meet their goals with your support. You cannot guide them if you do not know their goal.
This is the fourth of 31 posts about elements of value. Make sure you don’t miss any by signing up for the offer below. The posts in this sequence can be accessed below:
- Social impact Self-transcendence
- Life Changing Provide hope, Self-Actualisation
Next: Motivation + 2 more
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Emotional 10
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Functional 14